Volunteer Work Opportunities in a Buddhist Community

VOLUNTEER WORK

The Nyingma Centers Resident Volunteer Program

When we put all our energy into our work, it becomes the ground from which we build our lives, the channel for putting our plans into action. Because work continually makes demands on us, it offers us a sense of accomplishment which nothing else can provide.There is great pleasure to be found in living when we care about work, when we take on difficult but rewarding tasks and do them well.
- Tarthang Tulku, Skillful Means

Tarthang Tulku is an accomplished Tibetan Lama who came to the United States in 1969 and since that time has devoted himself to establishing a firm foundation for Buddhism in the West. For more than twenty-five years, Western students have worked under his direction to preserve the Buddhist traditions of Asia and to bring the benefits of these teachings into our society. A unique way of living and working has emerged from these efforts. This approach views work as a special opportunity to unite practical accomplishment with spiritual development. The experience of the Nyingma community has shown that when work toward meaningful goals is supported by study of the mind and emotions, work itself becomes a path to realization and fulfillment.

The work of the Nyingma organizations lies in preserving the written and artistic legacy of Tibetan Buddhist culture, in bringing the Dharma to the West, and in encouraging the self-discovery of the Buddhist path. This work has been accomplished by a relatively small group of dedicated, full-time volunteers. Some have been working since Tarthang Tulku's arrival in 1969, others have come for 6 months, a year or longer.

Over the years, a very special way of life has evolved that blends study of meditation and Buddhist teachings with vigorous work to preserve and transmit the Dharma. Special emphasis is given to Tarthang Tulku's approach to work, called 'Skillful Means', which shows how to use work itself as self-training in our deepest human capacities.
This way of work and study has produced significant results: the creation of Odiyan Monastery; the publication of the Nyingma Canon, with over one million pages of Tibetan texts, believed to be the largest single publication in world history; the printing and preservation of 500 Tibetan paintings; the establishment of the Nyingma Institute, where over 100,000 people have learned about the Nyingma tradition; and the creation of Dharma Publishing, which has published over 100 books about Buddhism, reaching a worldwide readership of over one million people.

What Is The Nyingma Centers Resident Volunteer Program?

Volunteers live at the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley, in shared rooms. Work takes place at either the Nyingma Institute or at Dharma House, which is the shared work facility of Dharma Publishing, the Yeshe De Text Preservation project and the Tibetan Aid Project. Types of work may include: creating Prayer Wheels, casting sacred art pieces, cooking, building maintenance, computer work (this varies from invoicing and data entry to writing queries in Microsoft Access), mailing, all aspects of hand and machine book binding, printing, event coordinator/helper, and gardening. At the Institute work may be in the kitchen, the garden, the house, or special art projects. Work-Study students have a unique opportunity to develop themselves, discover a more fulfilling way of living, and offer something positive through their work.
For more information on the activities and goals of each of these organizations visit their respective websites.

Prayer Wheel Project
Tibetan Aid Project
Dharma Publishing website

Evening classes at the Institute are a major part of the program. Program participants generally take 4 classes per week, selecting from Meditation classes, Kum Nye (Tibetan relaxation techniques), Buddhist philosophy and Dharma Studies, Skillful Means classes, and Tibetan language as found in Buddhist texts. In addition, two weekend workshops per quarter are available to the participants. Classes are chosen with an advisor.See the following pages of this web site for more information on courses.
Institute Classes
Institute Workshops

Volunteers receive room and board at the Nyingma Institute, and classes at no cost. Applicants accepted for the Program begin with a two-week trial period; thereafter, a minimum of a six month commitment is required. For those committed to a stay of over 6 months, a small living expense allowance is available.

The Work-Study program is demanding - the typical daily schedule begins with morning meditation from 6:30 to 7:30 AM. Work begins at 8:00 AM and continues until dinner at 5:15 PM. Work is 6 days per week with Sundays free..

What Are The Benefits?

The benefits of participation are great. You will receive training in Buddhist thought and practice, in how to use work as a spiritual training, and in specific job skills. While you are here you can be confident that your work is being directed to projects of lasting value for the world.

How Can I Tell If It Is For Me?

Applicants should have:

a sincere interest in personal development;

a willingness to work hard and to view work as a source of learning;

a wish to devote their energy to projects of long-term value and meaning;

an interest in Buddhism as a path.

One need not consider oneself a Buddhist or have background in Buddhist teachings to apply. We strongly recommend that you read Gesture of Balance and Skillful Means by Tarthang Tulku as a way of determining if our approach to spiritual development speaks to you.

Who Should Participate?

*Those interested in a systematic, in-depth study of the fundamental teachings of Mahayana Buddhism in a setting that encourages their application in daily life.

*Those interested in doing work that brings lasting benefit to the world.

*Those concerned about the direction society is taking and interested in exploring alternatives, especially the value of work as a training ground for spiritual development.

*Those wishing to work as part of a community based on shared ideals and values.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Those who can commit themselves to full-time work-study will join the Nyingma community's efforts to preserve and spread the ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition. According to your interests and skills and the needs of the Nyingma community, you will work at Dharma Publishing and Press, the Tibetan Aid Project, or Nyingma Institute (all located in Berkeley, with residence at the Nyingma Institute). You may participate in sacred art projects, publishing and text preservation, printing and binding, office work, publicity and promotion, construction work, maintenance projects, orlandscaping.

Daily work is complemented by regular meditation practice, evening classes, and two weekend intensive seminars per quarter. Through this program you will enjoy the benefits of a healthy, satisfying lifestyle, framed in a context of study and meditation. After the first two quarters of study you will also be eligible to take part in the traditional Buddhist Ngondro (preliminary) practices which include prostrations, mantra, and visualization.

How Do I Apply?

For an application and further information on the Prayer Wheel Project please contact:

phone: (510) 540-7639

email: bobr@nyingma.org

For an application and further information on Nyingma volunteers in general.
please visit the Nyingma Centers Resident Volunteer Program web site
or
phone: 510-981-1987
email: dharmavols@nyingma.org

address:
Nyingma Centers Volunteer Office
2910 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702

When your application has been reviewed you will be contacted by a representative of Nyingma Centers who will let you know if you are a candidate for the program, what questions remain, and when openings may be available. A phone interview is required; generally we advise visiting the Nyingma Institute, preferably for a retreat program before coming to volunteer. A trial period of two weeks is required; for the purposes of determining if the Resident Volunteer program is a good fit for the applicant.

What If I Can Not Come For 6 Months Or Longer?

At times we are able to make arrangements for shorter stays from 1-6 months. Please do go ahead and apply, and we will determine what openings might be appropriate.

What If I Live Outside The U.S.?

There are a limited number of positions open to foreign students. Preference is given to students at one of our overseas affiliates in Holland, Germany or Brazil. Those applying from other countries are generally required to either visit the Nyingma Institute (preferably for a retreat program) prior to coming for work-study, or to do a trial period at one of the affiliated centers mentioned above.

Thank you for your interest.